Is hypnosis real? Does it really work? Are there scientific research papers describing the effectiveness of hypnosis? The answer to all of these questions is yes, below you will find just some research that shows the effectiveness of hypnosis
The Role of Hypnosis in Cancer Care “…The evidence suggests that hypnosis may help treat symptoms of nausea and vomiting in breast cancer patients, manage pain in a variety of contexts, and also reduce levels of anxiety and overall distress around surgical and medical procedures, both in children and adults.” The Role of Hypnosis in Cancer Care, Linda E Carlson, Kirsti Toivonen, Michelle Flynn, Julie Deleemans, Katherine-Anne Piedalue, Emma Tolsdorf, Utkarsh Subnis, Curr Oncol Rep, 2018 Nov 13;20(12):93. PMID: 30421307 doi: 10.1007/s11912-018-0739-1, pubmed.gov, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30421307/ Clinical research on the utility of hypnosis in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of medical and psychiatric disorders “The authors summarize 4 articles of special interest to the hypnosis community in the general scientific and medical literatures. All are empirical studies testing the clinical utility of hypnosis, and together address the role of hypnosis in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of medical and psychiatric disorders/conditions. The first is a randomized controlled study of smoking cessation treatments comparing a hypnosis-based protocol to an established behavioral counseling protocol. Hypnosis quit rates are superior to those of the accepted behavioral counseling protocol. A second study with pediatric patients finds hypnosis critically helpful in differentiating nonepileptic seizure-like behaviors (pseudoseizures) from epilepsy. The remaining 2 papers are randomized controlled trials testing whether hypnosis is effective in helping patients manage the emotional distress of medical procedures associated with cancer treatment. Among female survivors of breast cancer, hypnosis reduces perceived hot flashes and associated emotional and sleep disruptions. Among pediatric cancer patients, a brief hypnotic intervention helps control venepuncture-related pain.” Clinical research on the utility of hypnosis in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of medical and psychiatric disorders Michael R Nash, Nicole Perez, Anthony Tasso, Jacob J Levy, Int J Clin Exp Hypn . 2009 Oct;57(4):443-50, PMID: 20183001, doi: 10.1080/00207140903099153, pubmed.gov, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20183001/
“Findings show that anxiety-provoking stimuli such as undergoing dental surgery, endodontic treatments or insufficient anaesthetics, can be effectively reduced under hypnosis. The present study gives scientific evidence that hypnosis is a powerful and successful method for inhibiting the reaction of the fear circuitry structures.” Functional changes in brain activity after hypnosis in patients with dental phobia, Ulrike Halsband, Thomas Gerhard Wolf, National Library of Medicine, pubmed.gov, J Physiol Paris, 2015 Dec;109(4-6):131-142. doi: 10.1016/j.jphysparis.2016.10.001. Epub 2016 Oct 6, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27720948/ Breast Biopsy: The Effects of Hypnosis and Music “...before breast biopsy, the music group presented less stress and anxiety, whereas the hypnosis with music group presented reduced stress, anxiety, and depression and increased optimism and general well-being. After the biopsy, the music group presented less anxiety and pain, whereas the hypnosis group showed less anxiety and increased optimism.” Breast Biopsy: The Effects of Hypnosis and Music, Arnoldo Tellez, Sánchez-Jáuregui, Dehisy Marisol Juarez Garcia, Manuel García-Solís, September 2016International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis 64(4):456–469 DOI:10.1080/00207144.2016.1209034, researchgate.net, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/307602222_Breast_Biopsy_The_Effects_of_Hypnosis_and_Music Hypnosis for treatment of insomnia in school-age children: a retrospective chart review “The…psychosocial stressors and medical conditions associated with development of insomnia in school-age children and to report use of hypnosis for this condition.” “This report demonstrates that instruction in hypnosis, and insight derived from its use, appear to facilitate efficient therapy for insomnia in school-age children as young as 7 years.” Hypnosis for treatment of insomnia in school-age children: a retrospective chart review, Ran D Anbar, Molly P Slothower, BMC Pediatrics volume 6, Article number: 23 (2006), bmcpediatr.com, https://bmcpediatr.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1471-2431-6-23 Hypnosis for treatment of HIV neuropathic pain: a preliminary report “Improvement was found irrespective of whether or not participants were taking pain medications. There was also evidence for positive changes in measures of affect and quality of life.” Hypnosis for treatment of HIV neuropathic pain: a preliminary report, Pain Med . 2013 Jul;14(7):1048-56. doi: 10.1111/pme.12074. Epub 2013 Apr 8. David Dorfman 1, Mary Catherine George, Julie Schnur, David M Simpson, George Davidson, Guy Montgomery, PMID: 23566167 DOI: 10.1111/pme.12074, pubmed.gov, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23566167/
Efficacy, Tolerability & Safety Of Hypnosis In Adult Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis “This meta-analysis demonstrated that hypnosis was safe and provided long-term adequate symptom relief in 54% of patients with irritable bowel syndrome refractory to conventional therapy.” Efficacy, Tolerability, and Safety of Hypnosis in Adult Irritable Bowel Syndrome Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, Schaefert, Rainer MD; Klose, Petra PhD; Moser, Gabriele MD; Häuser, Winfried MD, Psychosomatic Medicine: June 2014 - Volume 76 - Issue 5 - p 389-398 doi: 10.1097/PSY.0000000000000039, journals.lww.com, https://journals.lww.com/psychosomaticmedicine/Abstract/2014/06000/Efficacy,_Tolerability,_and_Safety_of_Hypnosis_in.10.aspx
Randomized Trial of a Hypnosis Intervention for Treatment of Hot Flashes Among Breast Cancer Survivors “Hypnosis appears to reduce perceived hot flashes in breast cancer survivors and may have additional benefits such as reduced anxiety and depression, and improved sleep.” Randomized Trial of a Hypnosis Intervention for Treatment of Hot Flashes Among Breast Cancer Survivors Gary Elkins , Joel Marcus , Vered Stearns , Michelle Perfect , M. Hasan Rajab , Christopher RuudLynne Palamara , Timothy Keith, Journal of Clinical Oncology, Volume 26, Issue 31, ascopubs.org, https://ascopubs.org/doi/full/10.1200/JCO.2008.16.6389?rfr_dat=cr_pub%3Dpubmed&url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori%3Arid%3Acrossref.org
The Beneficial Effect of Hypnosis in Elective Cardiac Surgery: A Preliminary Study “Hypnosis session prior to surgery was an effective complementary method in decreasing presurgical anxiety, and it resulted in better pain control as well as reduced ventilator assistance following CABG surgery.” The Beneficial Effect of Hypnosis in Elective Cardiac Surgery: A Preliminary Study, Ahmet Akgul , Beyhan Guner , Musa Çırak , Derya Çelik , Oya Hergünsel , Sevim Bedirhan, Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2016; 64(07): 581-588, DOI: 10.1055/s-0036-1580623, Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York, thieme-connect.com, https://www.thieme-connect.com/products/ejournals/abstract/10.1055/s-0036-1580623
Hypnosis can reduce pain in hospitalized older patients: a randomized controlled study “Fifty-three patients were included (mean age: 80.6 ± 8.2--14 men; 26 hypnosis; 27 massage. Pain intensity decreased significantly in both groups after each session. Average pain measured by the brief pain index sustained a greater decrease in the hypnosis group compared to the massage group during the hospitalisation. This was confirmed by the measure of intensity of the pain before each session that decreased only in the hypnosis group over time (P = 0.008). Depression scores improved significantly over the time only in the hypnosis group (P = 0.049).” Hypnosis can reduce pain in hospitalized older patients: a randomized controlled study Sheila Ardigo, François R Herrmann, Véronique Moret, Laurence Déramé, Sandra Giannelli, Gabriel Gold, Sophie Pautex, PMID: 26767506 PMCID: PMC4714456 BMC Geriatr, 2016 Jan 15;16:14. doi: 10.1186/s12877-016-0180-y, pubmed.gov, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26767506/
Reconditioning the stress response with hypnosis CD reduces the inflammatory cytokine IL-6 and influences resilience: A pilot study
Experimental Pain Ratings and Reactivity of Cortisol and Soluble Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Receptor II Following a Trial of Hypnosis: Results of a Randomized Controlled Pilot Study “...data analyses revealed that hypnosis significantly reduced pain intensity and pain unpleasantness.” Experimental Pain Ratings and Reactivity of Cortisol and Soluble Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Receptor II Following a Trial of Hypnosis: Results of a Randomized Controlled Pilot Study, Burel R. Goodin, PhD, Noel B. Quinn, MA, Tarek Kronfli, BA, Christopher D. King, PhD, Gayle G. Page, DNSc, Jennifer A. Haythornthwaite, PhD, Robert R. Edwards, PhD, Laura M. Stapleton, PhD, Lynanne McGuire, PhD, Pain Medicine, Volume 13, Issue 1, January 2012, Pages 29–44, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1526-4637.2011.01293.x Published: 10 January 2012, academic.oup.com, https://academic.oup.com/painmedicine/article/13/1/29/1854197?login=false Randomized Controlled Trial of a Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Plus Hypnosis Intervention to Control Fatigue in Patients Undergoing Radiotherapy for Breast Cancer “…CBTH as an evidence-based intervention to control fatigue in patients undergoing radiotherapy for breast cancer. CBTH is noninvasive, has no adverse effects, and its beneficial effects persist long after the last intervention session. CBTH seems to be a candidate for future dissemination and implementation.” Randomized Controlled Trial of a Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Plus Hypnosis Intervention to Control Fatigue in Patients Undergoing Radiotherapy for Breast Cancer, Guy H. Montgomery , Daniel David , Maria Kangas , Sheryl Green , Madalina Sucala , Dana H. BovbjergMichael N. Hallquist , Julie B. Schnur, Journal of Clinical Oncology, Volume 32, Issue 6, ascopubs.org, https://ascopubs.org/doi/full/10.1200/JCO.2013.49.3437?rfr_dat=cr_pub%3Dpubmed&url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori%3Arid%3Acrossref.org Hypnosis versus Diazepam for Embryo Transfer: A Randomized Controlled Study “...hypnosis during embryo transfer is just as effective as diazepam in regards to pregnancy ratio and anxiety reducing effects.” Hypnosis versus Diazepam for Embryo Transfer: A Randomized Controlled Study, Patrick Catoire, Laurent Delaunay, Thomas Dannappel, Dominique Baracchini, Sabine Marcadet-Fredet, Olivier Moreau, Luc Pacaud, Daniel Przyrowski & Emmanuel Marret (2013) Hypnosis versus Diazepam for Embryo Transfer: A Randomized Controlled Study, American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 55:4, 378-386, DOI: 10.1080/00029157.2012.747949, tandfonline.com, https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00029157.2012.747949?journalCode=ujhy20
Peripheral Blood Flow Responses to Pain Following a Hypnosis Intervention in Sickle Cell Disease “…the use of hypnosis as a treatment method to improve vasodilation in SCD patients and decreasing pain crises, thus increasing overall quality of life.” Peripheral Blood Flow Responses to Pain Following a Hypnosis Intervention in Sickle Cell Disease, Ravi Bhatt, B.S., Subhadra Evans, PhD, Lonnie Zeltzer, MD, Thomas D. Coates, MD, Jennie Tsao, PhD, Blood (2016) 128 (22): 4853. https://doi.org/10.1182/blood.V128.22.4853.4853, ashpublications.org, https://ashpublications.org/blood/article/128/22/4853/99808/Peripheral-Blood-Flow-Responses-to-Pain-Following Effectiveness of medical hypnosis for pain reduction and faster wound healing in pediatric acute burn injury: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial "Medical hypnosis helps patients focus their attention to lessen pain and anxiety and enhances patients’ acceptance of clinicians’ positive suggestions to change or reframe their perceptions, sensations, thoughts, and behaviors. Hypnotherapeutic techniques have decreased pain and anxiety in the short term and decreased psychological distress over the long term, thereby optimizing patient outcomes and complementing existing treatment modalities. Medical hypnosis can also empower pediatric patients to assist themselves at will beyond the presence of the therapist by teaching them self-hypnosis, which engenders self-mastery and active participation in their own treatment." Effectiveness of medical hypnosis for pain reduction and faster wound healing in pediatric acute burn injury: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial, Stephen J. Chester, Kellie Stockton, Alexandra De Young, Belinda Kipping, Zephanie Tyack, Bronwyn Griffin, Ralph L. Chester & Roy M. Kimble, Trials 17, 223 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-016-1346-9, Published: 29 April 2016, trialsjournal.biomedcentral.com, https://trialsjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13063-016-1346-9#citeas